Renal colic pain

Sometimes a doctor might raise concern about the frequent use of strong painkilling tablets or capsules if the diagnosis is unclear...

28/08/2014

Question

I have had recurring renal colic for twelve years and have been given voltorol and buscopan for the pain.

I don't think this helps at all, but the consultants said that the drug they gave before is highly addictive and they have found it not to be effective.

Can you tell me if, apart from drinking eight pints of water a day, plus regular antibiotics, there is something I am missing?

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Although it is only maybe twice a year I get this, I find the pain unbearable.

Thanks.

Answer

Renal colic is caused by kidney stones that dislodge from the kidney and move through the urinary tract until they are passed in the urine.

The pain is well known to be extremely unpleasant and certainly one that needs adequate medication for pain relief. I don't think there should be a problem in using whatever strong medication is required to settle the colic.

A persistent renal colic does not generally happen without specialists getting involved and offering a surgical solution, such as removal of the stones.

I'm glad that you have seen a specialist consultant because your kidneys will have been thoroughly checked.

Sometimes a doctor might raise concern about the frequent use of strong painkilling tablets or capsules if the diagnosis is unclear or the use of medication is out of proportion to the perceived problem.

However, I think that it is very unlikely that you would become addicted to treatment that is administered only twice each year.

When you suffer an attack it is often better to seek the help of a doctor at the time, so as to get pain-relieving medication injected. Your stomach will not absorb medication very well in such circumstances.

The commonest first line treatment for an attack of renal colic is an intramuscular injection of diclofenac.

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